ELECTRIC CART

• US 20130025950A1
• Filed: 01/26/2012
• Published: 01/31/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dennis Brandon
• Original Assignee: Dennis Brandon
• Inventors: Brandon, Dennis
• Application Number:
  US13/359,284
• Publication Number:
  US 20130025950A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/65.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/04 of the electric storage means for propulsion exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles B60L53/80; for auxiliary purposes only B60R16/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/0455 Removal or replacement of the energy storages
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/0466 from above
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2026/026 Adjusting of accelerator pedal positions
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/003 to auxiliary motors, e.g. for pumps, compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/22 Microcars, e.g. golf cars
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/00 Driver interactions
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/52 characterised by DC-motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/64 Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/14 Conductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/80 Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/114 Racing vehicles, e.g. Formula one, Karts
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/86 Carts; Golf carts
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2410/115 Electric wiring; Electric connectors
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 21/183 specially adapted for sports vehicles, e.g. race, dune buggies, go-karts tubular skeleton B62D23/005
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

An electric cart with one or more lightweight, quick-change batteries or battery packs mounted on the cart frame. The cart body has battery pack access openings to provide easy access to remove and replace battery packs during racing operations. The batteries are easily removed and replaced so that a particular cart can be “refueled” in a matter of seconds. The batteries being removed are placed on a charger, and can be placed back into service relatively quickly. Lithium Ion batteries may be used for the battery packs. The electric cart also may include electrically-adjustable pedals and seats.

Claims

1. An electric-powered go-cart, comprising:

a cart frame with an electric motor mounted thereon; and

one or more lightweight battery packs to provide power to the electric motor, wherein the battery pack or packs are removably mounted on the cart frame.

2. The go-cart of claim 1, further comprising an electrically-adjustable pedal assembly mounted on the cart frame, wherein the pedal assembly can be moved to any point along a continuum between a maximum point and a minimum point.

3. The go-cart of claim 1, further comprising an electrically-adjustable seat mounted on the cart frame, wherein the seat can be moved to any point along a continuum between a maximum point and a minimum point.

4. The go-cart of claim 1, wherein there are two battery packs mounted on opposite sides of the cart frame.

5. The go-cart of claim 1, wherein each battery pack can be removed and replaced within 30 seconds.

6. The go-cart of claim 1, wherein each battery pack weighs 35 pounds or less.

7. The go-cart of claim 1, wherein the battery pack or packs comprise Lithium Ion batteries.

8. The go-cart of claim 7, wherein each battery pack comprises two 24-volt batteries in series.

9. The go-cart of claim 7, wherein the battery pack or packs comprise LiFePO4 batteries.

10. The go-cart of claim 1, further where the battery pack or comprise an electrical connector adapted to mate with a corresponding electrical connector on the cart frame.

11. The go-cart of claim 1, further comprising a battery mount on the cart frame for each battery pack.

12. A system for managing a racing cart operation, comprising the steps of:

providing a set of electric-powered racing carts for use in a race, each cart comprising a pair of quick-change battery packs,

wherein the battery packs can be quickly removed and replaced by charged battery packs between races without removing carts from operation.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the racing cart operation comprises a single set of carts, a single set of battery pack rechargers, and two sets of battery packs.

14. The system of claim 12, further wherein each of said carts comprise a cart frame with an electric motor mounted thereon, and said battery packs are removably mounted on the respective cart frame.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising an electrically-adjustable pedal assembly mounted on the cart frame, wherein the pedal assembly can be moved to any point along a continuum between a maximum point and a minimum point.

16. The system of claim 14, further comprising an electrically-adjustable seat mounted on the cart frame, wherein the seat can be moved to any point along a continuum between a maximum point and a minimum point.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the battery packs mounted on opposite sides of the cart frame.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein each battery pack can be removed and replaced within 30 seconds.